Nitro were an American heavy metal band from Hollywood, California, formed in 1988 and disbanding a total of two times—once in 1993, and again in 2019. The band’s most prominent lineup included vocalist Jim Gillette, guitarist Michael Angelo Batio, bassist T. J. Racer, and drummer Bobby Rock.
In 1987, vocalist Jim Gillette released his debut solo album Proud to Be Loud, which featured contributions from Batio and Racer, the three of whom would later go on to form Nitro. Gillette and Batio had initially met at a beach party, while Racer was introduced to the singer as an attendee of one of his instructional vocal courses. Former Vinnie Vincent Invasion drummer Bobby Rock joined the band shortly thereafter. Speaking about joining the band, Rock recalled that Gillette and Batio recruited him by explaining that they “wanted to record the most over-the-top, in-your-face metal record ever.” Nitro signed with Rhino Entertainment record label Rampage Records after their first show, at which Gillette “reportedly shattered three wine glasses with his voice.”
Gillette, Batio, Racer and Rock recorded the first Nitro album, O.F.R. (“Out-Fucking-Rageous”) at Front Page Productions in Costa Mesa, California with producer and engineer Charlie Watts. The album would be released in May of 1989, spending nine weeks on the US Billboard 200, peaking at number 140. Shortly after the recording of the album, Bobby Rock left Nitro to join Nelson, with K. C. Comet replacing him for the tour. Comet appeared in the music videos for the singles “Freight Train” and “Long Way from Home”. After the tour, Comet left the band and was replaced by Johnny Thunder while Ralph Carter was brought in after Racer departed shortly afterwards. The band released its second album, Nitro II: H.W.D.W.S.
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